EAST MIDDLEBORO — There wasn't a smart phone in sight Saturday as the East Middleboro 4-H Club began its 64th annual 4-H Fair at the clubhouse on Thompson Street.

Instead, fair-goers of all ages, but particularly children, dropped everything modern to look at the chickens, the livestock, the rabbits, the baked goods, the arts and crafts, and even small-engine tractors.

Peg and Mark Schneider, whose three daughters all grew up going to 4-H club activities, were manning the table that sold 25-cent cups of chicken feed for children to feed to the dozens of chickens of all descriptions under the Fowl Play Poultry Club tent.

"We're still members," said Peg. "The kids grew up and moved along, but we liked it so much we stayed."

She said that her own family has cut down on the number of chickens in their yard to about half a dozen. "We used to have 40," she said.

Brenda Easter, who announced the $4,200 in scholarships awarded by the local 4-H to 10 current and former members, said that there are actually 16 separate 4-H clubs operating out of the Middleboro clubhouse.

A special award called the "Manny Award," was presented by local 4-H patriarch Joe Freitas to the Hay family for all of the help various family members have given the club over the years. Jill Hay accepted the green and chrome trophy for the family.

Animals and crafts on display were all judged, but only blue ribbons were awarded and they all read, "excellent," making it possible to award more than one.

Later in the afternoon, the club conducted its annual auction of good quality used items donated by the community.

4-H Clubs (heart, hands, head, health) can form around practically anything. Some are devoted to particular species of animals, mostly farm animals. But there are clubs formed around art, engine repair and maintenance, quilting, baking, even drama.

The 4-H Drama Club, in fact, will perform the play "Big Bad" at 12:30 p.m. today.

Also scheduled today is the classic car show, and an old-fashioned chicken barbecue, and a children's and animal costume contest.